Extension Agent – Riley County

Lindsay Shorter, Riley County Extension Agent

Lindsay Shorter will begin serving as the Riley County agriculture and natural resources extension agent, effective June 9. Riley County’s extension office is in Manhattan, Kansas.

Shorter earned her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University.  She has most recently been employed as the grassland conservation marketing manager for Playa Lakes Joint Venture in Gage, Oklahoma.

Agriculture and natural resources agents develop and deliver educational programming related, but not limited, to agronomic and livestock production; agricultural economics; management and public policy; horticultural production and management; natural resources conservation; and environmental stewardship. 

More information about K-State Research and Extension – Riley County is available online at riley.k-state.edu.  Contact Lindsay Shorter via email at lindsayshorter@ksu.edu.

Extension Agent – Lyon County

Allison Williams, Lyon County Extension Agent

Allison Williams will begin serving as the Lyon County 4-H youth development extension agent, effective Aug. 18. Lyon County’s extension office is in Emporia, Kansas.

Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry from Kansas State University. She has most recently been employed as a sales representative for PrairieLand Partners, LLC in Emporia, Kansas.

4-H youth development agents develop and deliver educational programs for school-aged youth. This includes supporting community clubs, out-of-school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create new program opportunities with new and existing community partners.

More information about K‑State Extension – Lyon County is available online at lyon.k-state.edu. Contact Allison Williams via email at amwilliams@ksu.edu.

(Updated 8-8-25)

Agriculture Instructor/Program Coordinator – Cowley College (Sumner Campus – Wellington)

Cowley College’s Career and Technical Education department is seeking a full-time Agriculture Instructor/Program Coordinator to oversee the Agriculture Program and serve as the Judging Team Coordinator. This position will commence July 1, 2025.

Click here for full position description.

Job Summary:

The Agriculture Instructor/Program Coordinator is a full-time, 10-month position for Cowley College’s Career and Technical Education department.  This position is responsible for the oversight of the Agriculture program, recruit & manage Ag judging teams, and successfully teaching students within the program.

Position Duties:

  • Recruit students for the Agriculture program, clubs, and judging teams.
  • Assist in recruitment, hiring, and retaining talented and entrepreneurial full-time and adjunct faculty members, serving as Lead Instructor for Agriculture program.
  • Plan and supervise Agriculture programs relevant to the Cowley College mission, manage departmental budgetary and financial matters.
  • Creation of curriculum, instructional materials, and oversight of agriculture labs and equipment.
  • Serve as the advisor for department students.
  • Instruct students in competency-based program curriculum using current instructional strategies appropriate to the subject matter to assure highest quality classroom instruction.
  • Effectively manage the classroom to create an optimal learning environment, maintaining an appropriate balance of classroom discipline.
  • Maintain up-to-date records of student attendance, academic progress and grades as required by College policy and certification/regulatory agencies.
  • Work in partnership with high school and higher education institutions for the purpose of articulation and transfer of program courses, certificates, and degrees.
  • Develop and coordinate with program advisory boards, business, community, industry, and government partners.
  • Keep posted office hours and serve on college and relevant industry committees.
  • Maintain courteous, professional and effective working relationships with employees, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organization.
  • Comply with all College policies and procedures.

Required Education Background:

  • Master’s degree Agriculture, Agriculture science, Education with a specialization in Agriculture or other agricultural area in a discipline relevant to this position (e.g.: Animal Science, Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science, or other agriculture science).
  • Agriculture teaching experience preferred.
  • Agriculture judging team leadership experience preferred.

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience teaching agriculture related courses in higher education.
  • Experience coaching agriculture related judging teams.
  • Experience working with high school and higher education institutions for the purpose of articulation and transfer of program courses, certificates, and degrees.
  • High School, CEP, Adult Education teaching experience.
  • Program Advisor experience.
  • Agriculture industry experience other than education.
  • Strong knowledge of professional clubs and organizations pertaining to agriculture (i.e.; FFA, 4-H, NACTA, National Coaches Association).
  • Knowledge of precision agriculture.
  • Requires a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, including co-enrolled high school students.

Zach Cooper – Director of Sumner Campus – Cowley College

2208 Davis-White Loop

Wellington, Kansas 67152

Office: 620-441-6556    Email: zach.cooper@cowley.edu